After a long summer hike in the Upper Peninsula, my family of five was ready for a late lunch that didn’t involve trail mix or granola bars. We landed at Lake Superior Smokehouse Brewpub in Harvey, Michigan — and it turned out to be the perfect post-adventure refueling spot.
Note: This article is part of our series exploring family-friendly beer gardens across Michigan. To see more in the series, type “beer garden” into the search bar on our site.
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The Setting: Like Your Most Fun Friend’s Backyard
We chose to sit outside in the beer garden, and honestly, it felt like being invited into someone’s awesome backyard. The space was full of flowers in full bloom, picnic tables under the sun, and enough yard games to keep my three boys happily occupied for the entire meal. Giant Jenga, cornhole — you name it, they had it. It was exactly what a hungry, slightly dusty-from-hiking family needed: a place where the kids could play while the grown-ups kicked back.
The Drinks: A Perfect Post-Hike Pour
While the boys got competitive over cornhole, my husband and I started with an LSSB Light Sunkissed Mist Kölsch. It was light, clean, crisp, and just subtly flavorful — basically a summer day in a pint glass. After a morning of trekking, that first sip felt like a deep sigh of relief.
The Food: Pulled Pork Heaven
Mike went straight for one of the Harvey the Hog House Specials — pulled pork and brisket, paired with potato salad and coleslaw. The meat was tender, juicy, and smoky, and he declared halfway through that he’d order the exact same thing again next time.
The rest of us all ordered the Classic Smoked Pulled Pork Sandwich. It came out huge — I couldn’t even finish mine — served on a buttery toasted Kaiser roll and paired with homemade fries. Our server brought out a few different sauces to sample, each with its own personality. I tried them all, because scientific research. My favorite leaned tangy with just the right amount of sweet.
The Service: Just as Good as the Food
Our server was warm, welcoming, and attentive in that effortless way that makes you feel like a regular even if it’s your first time in the door. Between the beautiful outdoor space, the fun atmosphere, and the steady flow of delicious food, we all agreed we’d found a new U.P. favorite.
The Extras: Beer Lovers, Take Note
Inside, Lake Superior Smokehouse Brewpub has a full bar with 20 taps, a rotating selection of Michigan craft beers, and even a state-of-the-art self-pour tap system. For a small community, this is a big-time beer destination.
The Bottom Line
If you’re anywhere near Marquette County and craving smoked meats, Lake Superior Smokehouse Brewpub is worth the stop. Whether you come for the beer garden games, the pulled pork sandwiches, or just a place to unwind after exploring the U.P., you’ll leave happy (and full).
Lake Superior Smokehouse Brewpub
📍 200 W Main St., Harvey, MI 49855
📞 (906) 273-0952
⏰ Open Tue–Sat 11 a.m.–9 p.m. (Closed Sun & Mon)
Note: If you know of a beer garden — or own one — that we should check out for this series, please reach out at writer@steffymccourt.com.
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